Unimas requests for teaching hospital

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KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kadim Suaidi believes that an exclusive teaching hospital for the university will complement their 19-year-old Faculty of Medicine and Health Science.

Since 1994, Unimas has produced more than 1,000 doctors, prompting the university to submit a proposal to the federal government to set up a teaching hospital for its students.

“We understand the financial constraints of the government and hope that one day, our dream will be materialised,” said Kadim to a press conference after a follow-up of the YSS Tuition Mission Sarawak at Unimas yesterday.

He also said Unimas would admit at least 120 students to undergo a five-year programme at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science.

“Currently, our students have to undergo their practical trainings at government hospitals such as the Sarawak General Hospital, Serian Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Bintulu Hospital,” he added.

On another note, Kadim said their satellite faculty at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce will move to the Samarahan campus by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof said Unimas’ proposal was still under consideration by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and the Economic Planning Unit.

“The proposal has also been raised in the cabinet and noted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is also the Minister of Finance,” he added.

Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, further said that the government would try to set aside funds to build teaching hospitals for universities who had applied.

“There are a lot of universities who have submitted their proposals. The government will review the proposal and give priority to universities based on certain criteria,” he said.